PHF bans women players, team officials

OUR STAFF REPORTER LAHORE Pakistan Hockey Federation banned six women players of Lahore Colours team for two years and its two team officials for one year for providing bogus documents regarding their age. The decision was taken in the aftermath of Pakistan teams pull out from the third Women Junior AHF Cup at Singapore due to non-availability of exact age of the players. Lahore team, which took part in the first Under-18 Girls National Hockey Championship held here last month, provided fake documents regarding the age of their players. A thorough investigation to check the ages of the players, PHFs Age Credentials Committee found these documents false and bogus, said a Phf spokesman on Saturday. These documents were submitted by the team management which is equally responsible for that act and that is why a stern action has been taken to discourage this practice in future, he added. Pursuant to the decision of the Phf Executive Board, the Phf has banned their participation in any activities of the federation. Two years ban is imposed on players Ishrat Abbas d/o of Muhammad Abbas, Nazia Rehmat d/o Rehmat Ali, Nafeesa Anwar d/o Muhammad Anwar, Ahnazza Bashir d/o Muhammad Bashir, Nimra d/o Abdul Khaliq and Hina Pervaiz d/o Muhammad Pervaiz. One year ban has been handed over to teams manager Razia Malik and coach Muhammad Pervaiz. Strict and stern warning is also issued to the President and Secretary of Punjab Womens Hockey Association for non-compliance of the Phf directive, he said. He further said that the timely action of Phf to verify the ages of players saved it from humiliation at international forum as the Phf decided not to send its team to Singapore as most of its players were averaged and their participation could have led to a disciplinary action against Pakistan by the tournament organisers.